Facing the decision of whether to cover brick on a house often arises during a major renovation or a fresh coat of paint. Homeowners frequently view the exposed red brick as a dated feature or a color that no longer suits their aesthetic vision. The short answer is a definitive yes, you can cover brick, but the process requires careful planning and the right materials to ensure it lasts.
Understanding the Brick Surface
Before applying any covering, it is essential to understand the nature of the brick itself. Brick is a porous material designed to breathe, allowing moisture to escape from the walls of the house. This characteristic is critical for the structural integrity of the home. If this natural evaporation is blocked without proper preparation, moisture can become trapped, leading to mold growth, spalling brick, or peeling finishes. Therefore, the success of any covering project hinges on respecting this breathability.
Preparation is Key
Skipping preparation is the primary reason DIY covering projects fail. The existing brick surface must be thoroughly cleaned to remove decades of accumulated dirt, grime, and efflorescence (the white powdery deposits caused by water migration). Professionals typically use a heavy-duty cleaner and a stiff brush to scrub the surface. Following cleaning, any loose or crumbling mortar joints must be repaired. The joints should be raked out to a depth of about one inch to create a solid grip for the new covering material.
Assessing the Structural Integrity
It is vital to check the brick veneer for any signs of movement or instability. If the brick is loose, cracking, or separating from the house, these issues must be addressed before covering. Covering unstable brick with a solid material like stucco or rigid siding will trap the movement underneath, eventually causing the new surface to crack as well. In such cases, installing a breathable house wrap and possibly reintroducing flashing is necessary to stabilize the wall system.
Popular Covering Options
Once the brick is clean, repaired, and deemed stable, you can choose the finish that best suits your design goals. The two most common methods are applying a thin coat of stucco or installing siding boards. Stucco provides a smooth, modern, and monolithic finish that adheres directly to the brick. Siding, whether wood, fiber cement, or vinyl, creates a distinct separation between the old structure and the new aesthetic, effectively erasing the brick’s visual presence.
| Covering Material | Best For | Key Consideration |
|---|---|---|
| Stucco | Modern, seamless looks | Must be applied over lath or mesh; requires control joints |
| Siding (Wood, Fiber Cement, Vinyl) | Hiding imperfections; changing color/texture | Requires furring strips to maintain the brick air cavity |
Veneer vs. Solid Application
Professionals distinguish between covering brick and removing the brick. In most cases, you are covering veneer—brick that is attached to the structure with an air gap behind it. When installing siding, you should never screw the boards directly into the brick mortar joints. Instead, you need to install furring strips (wood or metal strapping) over the brick. This creates a flat plane for the siding and maintains the vital air gap, preserving the wall’s ability to dry out if moisture intrusion occurs.
Long-Term Maintenance
Even after a successful installation, covering brick introduces new maintenance routines. If you choose to cover the brick with siding, you must inspect the caulking around windows, doors, and corners annually. Sealant breaks down due to UV exposure and temperature fluctuations, allowing water to sneak behind the new surface. While the brick is hidden, the protective barrier of the siding is what keeps the wall dry, making the condition of the caulking just as important as the condition of the brick beneath.
The Aesthetic and Resale Impact
From a marketability perspective, covering brick can significantly broaden the appeal of a home. Brick accents can sometimes date a property or clash with modern design trends. By covering the brick, you create a unified canvas that allows current paint colors and exterior trims to pop. This clean look appeals to a wider range of buyers if you ever decide to sell, transforming a potentially niche feature into a neutral backdrop that compliments the architecture rather than dominating it.
